So that's where all the luggage went... stolen luggage at phoenix

[dburg30]

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/ph...qDe80dDrg.cspx

PHOENIX – Two people have been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of baggage items from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

According to a Phoenix Police report, an investigation was launched after thousands of bags were reportedly stolen from the airport last month.

Sergeant Tommy Thompson with the Phoenix Police Department said detectives arrived at a home near 175th and Orangewood avenues in Waddell on Monday to investigate the theft.

Police served a search warrant on the house and reportedly found hundreds of bags inside overnight.

Keith King, 62, and Stacy King, 38, were arrested for offense burglary and tampering with evidence.

According to a Phoenix Police report, Stacy was tampering with evidence as police were serving the warrant Monday night.

Neighbors told ABC15 that Keith King seemed suspicious to them because he would come and go late at night with a horse trailer filled with items, but he never had horses.

Neighbors also said the couple, who has lived in the house for several years, held garage sales that included the sale of luggage and other items.

Video from Air15 showed that police have pulled dozens of bags out of the home and placed them in the front yard for investigation.

Police said the recovered items could include baggage that was lost at Sky Harbor up to a couple years ago.

It's unclear if the arrested couple has any ties to Sky Harbor Airport.

Stay with ABC15.com for updates.

[disneyfaninaz]

Wow! That's the first I've heard of it. I guess I'll have to watch the news tonight. Glad my luggage wasn't stolen! I flew in and out of Sky Harbor last month.

[Sleepy]

I never understood why luggage claim was out in the open for anyone to walk off the street to steal bags. I also don't understand why they leave luggage on the floor by the converyor many hours after a plane has landed. They need to place luggage conveyors in a place where only passengers have access. It works very well where I live.

[dburg30]

I just dont easily see how they could change it in existing airports without major renovations. They just arent set up to be able to easily be secured and still let people move around inside. I've always figured that some bags were taken, but 1000 by one group from one airport is pretty amazing IMO..

[jlewisinsyr]

I remember flying when I was a kid (don't remember the airport) and the baggage claim was surrounded by the tape/pole barriers (the types used for queue lines) and there was a person standing at the entrance/exit to the queue and they checked your baggage claim ticket with the baggage tag.

This was maybe when I was 8 or 9, but when I started traveling more frequently when I hit my teenage years, I never recall seeing this.

[bavaria]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

I never understood why luggage claim was out in the open for anyone to walk off the street to steal bags. I also don't understand why they leave luggage on the floor by the converyor many hours after a plane has landed. They need to place luggage conveyors in a place where only passengers have access. It works very well where I live.

Ditto. It works just fine in Germany. Although I have had my tags checked at LAX and other airports in America at random times.

[DisMN]

And there were no security cameras set up in this area? They could have put a stop to this a long LONG time ago..........

[kaytieeldr]

Originally Posted by jlewisinsyr

I remember flying when I was a kid (don't remember the airport) and the baggage claim was surrounded by the tape/pole barriers (the types used for queue lines) and there was a person standing at the entrance/exit to the queue and they checked your baggage claim ticket with the baggage tag.

This was maybe when I was 8 or 9, but when I started traveling more frequently when I hit my teenage years, I never recall seeing this.

Miami? Fort Lauderdale? I only remember experiencing this set-up once, on my way to a cruise.

Question: How much more would passengers be willing to pay so airports could secure the baggage claim areas? You know any such cost would be passed on to us, through additional fees assessed from the airlines.

[bavaria]

Originally Posted by kaytieeldr

Miami? Fort Lauderdale? I only remember experiencing this set-up once, on my way to a cruise.

Possibly because it was a somewhat 'international' destination? I assume that is why? Possibly a smuggling/customs issue?

The cost would be adding a wall and one way sliding doors, and possibly reconfiguring the entire baggage claim area. For some airports in America not much work, for others major structural renovation.